Portable basketball apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable basketball apparatus comprising a hoop, backboard and pole having a base unit. The base unit comprises a movable platform having two or more wheels on the rear portion and one or more swivel casters on the front portion, a pair of leveling mounts with vibration and slide control pads located in proximity of the front portion and means to position a plurality of weight discs on the platform. The number of discs is selected by the user based on the weight and overhang of the backboard and force of the players.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a portable basketball apparatus which is relatively simple in construction, easy to securely mount at a selected location and easy to move when desired and adaptable to different size and pole configurations.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The game of basketball is a popular game in the U.S., as well as in many parts of the world. The game is played at home, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities and finally by professional teams. The apparatus consists of a ring or hoop of a certain diameter, mounted on a board and means of holding the unit a certain height above the ground. The official height is 10 feet from the ground level to the rim of the hoop. A basketball of predetermined diameter is used in play.

[0005] The interest in the game starts at an early age. Typically, parents provide their children with equipment at home in the following ways:

[0006] (1) The board and goal is mounted to the wall or above the garage door, support braces being typically anchored to the roof of the house to support the board and goal. Most homeowners associations reject this arrangement due to unsightliness; in addition, this configuration can cause damage to the house and roof leakage.

[0007] (2) A pole is permanently placed in the ground using concrete. This requires digging a large hole, mixing concrete, holding the pole in place and pouring concrete around it and holding the pole straight until the concrete sets. Alternately, four or more heavy duty bolts are placed in the concrete and the basketball pole is mounted to the bolts by the means of a plate welded to the end of the pole. If the user is not happy with the location of the pole or wants to move to a new home, the choice is to leave or destroy the pole.

[0008] To cope with the problems noted hereinabove, the portable basketball was designed. In this case, the pole is mounted on a base consisting of a large tank, the tank being filled with about 400 pounds or more of water or sand to provide stability. Two or more wheels are provided to move the unit around. The unit thus can be moved to the driveway, walkway or streets. About 70% of the basketball units sold are portables. However, many problems are associated with the portable basketball unit. Specifically:

[0009] (1) The unit is vulnerable to gusts of wind and can unpredictably tip over, causing unsafe and dangerous conditions.

[0010] (2) It is more convenient to fill the tank with water rather than sand. However, many of the water tanks develop leaks. If this condition is not detected in time, the unit could fall over, causing injury or even death.

[0011] (3) The backboard acts as a sail and thus wind can push the unit from the driveway into the street or tip it over, causing unsafe conditions.

[0012] (4) If the unit is placed in the street, children get so involved in the game that they ignore oncoming cars and traffic, thus hurting themselves or others.

[0013] (5) Due to the difficulty and awkwardness of moving a heavy unit around, the unit may be left in the street after the game causing unsafe conditions. In this regard, some governmental units approved ordinances that in effect requires residents to keep portable basketball units off streets and sidewalks at night, violators being subject to fines. To avoid litigation, homeowners associations and city governments are working to find a way to cope with these problems.

[0014] (6) The unit is not capable of supporting heavy duty backboards.

[0015] (7) Some units are anchored to the ground, making it cumbersome and time consuming to remove the anchor, move the unit to a new location and then re-anchor the unit.

[0016] What is desired therefor is to provide a portable basketball unit which is safe, lightweight and economical and which avoids the problems noted hereinabove.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0017] The present invention provides a basketball unit, or apparatus in which a safe and suitable location, can be selected, the apparatus then assembled and mounted in place in a short time. The apparatus can be moved to a different location at will, the pole and board being easily removed and stored. The apparatus does not require water tanks or concrete, is safe, will not tip over in the wind, is easily disassembled and stored and easily remounted for play. At the end of the day, the apparatus is removed again and returned to storage, such as in a home garage.

[0018] The apparatus comprises a conventional hoop and backboard. The pole is modified at the base portion thereof to the extent that removable weights are placed where it gives the most efficient support. When in use, the unit is stable and fixed in place. The unit can be moved with ease to a different location if desired.

[0019] In particular, the present invention provides a portable basketball apparatus which comprises a movable platform having two or more wheels on the rear portion and one or more swivel casters on the front portion, a pair of swivel leveling mounts with vibration and slide control pads located in proximity of the front portion and means to place in a secure position on the platform a multiple of weighted discs. The number of discs is selected by the user based on the weight and overhang of the selected backboard and force of the players. A square or round basketball pole is mounted to the platform and a cover is provided to conceal and protect the apparatus.

[0020] The apparatus is placed in the moving mode by raising the leveler mounts up and away from the ground; the front swivel caster being used to maneuver the apparatus and move it to the play position. At the play position, the swivel leveler is lowered to “snag tight” to the ground. If more than one leveler is provided, each leveler is lowered or raised accordingly to level the apparatus. The levelers must be snug against the floor and pressure reduced from the swivel caster. For apparatus (including the backboard) having a combined weight of 400 lbs or more, a plate is placed under the wheels and levelers to avoid setting of the wheels in a paved surface in the summer heat.

[0021] The present invention thus provides a simple, lightweight economical and safe basketball apparatus which is easily moved to a designated area for play.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

[0023]FIG. 1(a) illustrates an assembled base unit in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c) are exploded assembly views of the base unit;

[0024]FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view of a portion of the exploded view shown in FIG. 1(b);

[0025]FIG. 3 shows a further detail of a portion of the exploded view shown in FIG. 1(b);

[0026]FIG. 4 shows two types of poles which is adaptable for use in the present invention;

[0027] FIGS. 5(a)-5(c) show different configurations of the portable basketball apparatus of the present invention; and

[0028]FIG. 6 shows the assembled portable basketball apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1(a), a portion of the portable basketball apparatus 8 shown in FIGS. 5(a)-5(c) and FIG. 6 of the present invention is illustrated. In particular, FIG. 1(a) shows an assembled. base unit 10 having a cover 12, square shaped pole 14, wheels 16 (only one shown) and levelers 18 (only one shown) . Base unit 10, it should be understood, incorporates the inventive features of apparatus 8.

[0030] FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c) show exploded, perspective views of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1(a). In particular, apparatus 10 comprises a platform member 20 preferably made of steel tubing having elongated edge members 27 and 31, cross brace members 41 and 43 and outside frame member 45. Wheel axle 22, wheels 16, wheel retainers 26, levelers 18, swivel caster plate 29 mounted to platform 20, swivel caster 30, bolts 32 to hold weight disc assemblies 34 in place on frame members 27 and 31, bolts 36 and nuts 37 to attach swivel caster 30 to platform 20 and threaded posts 39 (only one shown) attached to frame 45 for threading by coupling levelers 18 to platform 20. Each disc assembly comprises a plurality of weighted discs 35 as illustrated. A plate 40 for mounting pole 14 to platform 20 is secured thereto by bolts 42 passing through a plurality of apertures formed on frame members 41 and 43. FIG. 2 is a further detail of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1(b). FIG. 3 shows washers 44 and nuts 46 for use with bolts 32 to hold discs 34 to platform 20. The number of discs, or weights, 35 is selected by the user and is based on the weight and overhang of the backboard 50 (FIGS. 5(a)-5(c)) and the force attributed to the players in order to maintain the apparatus 8 at the desired ground location during play.

[0031]FIG. 4 illustrates two additional types of pole structures that can be used with the present invention. In particular, FIG. 4(a) illustrates round pole 52 insertable into tubular extension 54 formed on pole mounting plate 56. A adjustment screw 58 is provided for securing pole 52 to pole mounting plate 56. FIG. 4(b) shows round pole 58 secured directly to round pole mounting plate 60. Plate members 58 and 60 are identical to pole mounting plate 40 shown in FIG. 1(b).

[0032] FIGS. 5(a)-5(c) illustrate the variation in weighted discs 35 used with platform 20 with cover 12 removed.

[0033] In FIG. 5(a), three assemblies of discs 34 are mounted on platform 20 (note that the position of basketball backboard 50 is shown as being adjustable in a conventional manner). FIG. 5(b) shows two sets of discs 34 mounted on platform 20 and FIG. 5(c) shows two sets of discs 34 mounted on platform 20 with one weight disc 35 removed from each set. As shown on the figures, bolts 32 extend through holes formed in platform 20 and through the coaligned holes formed in weight discs 35. Washers 44 and nuts 46 removably secure the weight assemblies 34 and the separate weight discs 35 to platform 20. The number of assemblies 34 are weighted discs 35 utilized in a particular configuration depends upon the weight of the backboard and the anticipated force applied to the backboard/basketball hoop by the players.

[0034]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled portable basketball apparatus 8 of the present invention illustrating backboard 50 and hoop 51.

[0035] Apparatus 8 is placed in the moving mode by raising levelers 28 away from the ground. The front swivel caster 30 is used to maneuver apparatus 8 to the desired position as the apparatus is pushed and/or pulled. The levelers 18, when down, or in contact with the ground, provide three basic functions: (1) prevents platform 20 from moving; (2) prevents platform 20 from moving because of wind; and (3) prevents platform 20 from moving caused by vibrations generated during normal game play.

[0036] To place the apparatus 8 in play, apparatus 8 is moved to the desired position, and the levelers 18 are adjusted to be snug against the ground or other surface. If leveling is required, the leveler 18 on each side of platform 20 is raised or lowered accordingly via threaded posts 39 until the pole is substantially perpendicular to the ground surface. Each leveler 18 should contact the ground, or other surface, with force and pressure reduced from the swivel caster 30 (caster pressure is reduced by having the levelers adjusted in a manner such that swivel caster 30 is off the ground). If the apparatus 10 (including the backboard assembly) has a combined weight of 400 pounds, or over, a plate (not shown) is placed under wheels 24 and levelers 18 to prevent the wheels from setting into a paved surface during the summer heat.

[0037] While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teaching of the invention without departing from its essential teachings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for supporting a basketball pole comprising: a platform; wheel means coupled to said platform whereby said platform can be moved along a surface to a desired location; weight means mounted on said platform; and means for receiving and supporting a basketball pole on said platform.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including caster means mounted to the front of said platform whereby the direction of movement of said platform can be controlled.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for adjusting the position of said platform whereby said pole is substantially perpendicular to said surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said weight means is removably mounted on said platform.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said weight means comprises a plurality of weight members.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said weight members comprise separate weight units, selected ones of said weight units being removable from said platform to adjust the weight of said platform to a predetermined value.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said adjusting means comprises levelers.
 8. Portable basketball apparatus comprising: a backboard having a hoop mounted thereto; a pole member; a platform; wheel means coupled to said platform whereby said platform can be moved along a surface to a desired location; weight means mounted on said platform; and means for receiving and supporting said pole member on said platform.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 further including means for adjusting the position of said platform whereby said pole member is substantially perpendicular to said surface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said weight means is removably mounted on said platform. 